Pope Invites Friend for Spin in St. Peter's Square

[onehandle]

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis broke with papal protocol once again Wednesday, inviting an old friend for a spin in his panoramic white car during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.

The Rev. Fabian Baez, a parish priest in Francis' hometown of Buenos Aires, didn't have a VIP ticket granting him a seat close to the altar or a spot where the pope would chat with well-wishers. But as soon as Francis saw Baez in the crowd of several thousand people, the pope signaled for Vatican gendarmes to help Baez jump the barricade.

Francis then invited Baez to hop aboard his car, and the parish priest accompanied Francis through the square as the pope waved to well-wishers and kissed babies.

Baez said he was shocked by Francis' invitation, telling reporters afterward: "I said to myself 'What am I doing here? Mamma mia!'" "The pope laughed and said 'Come, sit down, sit down!' And he continued to greet the people and kiss babies. I was very moved."

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-invites-friend-spin-st-peter-39-square-143243312.html

[babylonsister]

1. So sweet! Old friends are friends forever,

if you're lucky.